Just under 400 runners lined up for the start of the 2010 Mount Evans Ascent in Idaho Springs, Colorado on Saturday, June 19.
Known as the highest paved road race in America, the Mount Evans Ascent starts at 10,600 and climbs to 14,264 feet over 14.5 miles.
Check here for a slide show of photos from the race.
After a suffering through freezing temperatures and foggy conditions in 2009, runners were greeted with sun and warmth throughout Saturday's ascent.
Glenn Randall, 23, of Mesa, Colorado won the event in 1:41:21, coming close to Matt Carpenter's course record of 1:37:01 set in 2008. Randall was a star cross country runner at both Palisade High School and Dartmouth University. He's also a competitive cross country skier, placing third at the US National Championships in 2009.
Bob Sweeney, 43, of Louisville, Colorado was second in 1:52:58 and Karl Remsen, 29, of Leadville was third in 1:55:02.
In the women's division, Kim Dobson of Denver, dominated the competition winning in 2:01:39, smashing the course record by nearly five minutes. The old record of 2:06:22 was set by Naoko Takahashia, the 2000 Olympic gold medalist in the marathon. Dobson's blazing time would have won the men's division in 2009. Dobson, 26, is an incredible hill climber, placing second at the Pikes Peak Ascent last year.
Sara Denny, 25, of Denver was second in 2:17:18 and Kris Klotzbach, 31, of Parker was third in 2:22:18.
Unlike the Pikes Peak Ascent, another run up a 14,000 foot peak in Manitou Springs, Colorado, the Mount Evans Ascent is a more gradual hill climb. Instead of gaining nearly 8,000 feet in 13.32 miles like Pikes Peak, the Mount Evans course gains just over 3,600 feet in 14.5 miles. There's even two brief downhill sections near miles nine and 12.
This isn't to say the Mount Evans Ascent is easy. With a start above 10,000 feet, the air is thin throughout the race, with a grade that averages around six percent.
Runners travel up the left side of the paved course, that unfortunately is open to traffic during the event. With no guard rails, the road is filled with numerous steep drop offs, a constant reminder that one misstep could mean disaster.
While the top runners race from start to finish without much slowing, a majority of the field is forced to power walk for at least some of the ascent.
Amy Dohr, of Evergreen, Colorado, said after the race, "It was a lot harder than I thought it was going to be primarily the last four miles."
Many of the runners new to the event were impressed with the camaraderie out on the course. According to Elizabeth Mullen of Denver, "There was such a great vibe. I would say it was one of my favorite crowds to run with."
Eric Smith of Sante Fe, New Mexico had the fastest (and only) canine in the event. Smith and his six-year-old adopted stray, Vasco, clocked a time of 3:07:03. Smith says he never does a run without Vasco, who has no trouble keeping up at altitude or on long runs.
The 360 degree views on Saturday were unbelievable, and many runners carried cameras and stopped for photos. This year participants were treated to near cloudless skies and a number of wildlife sightings including several mountain goats.
"One thing I thought was really cool was just the views. It was so inspirational," said Heather Sheehan of Evergreen.
There's a four and half hour time limit on the course, but this year it wasn't strictly enforced, with a few competitors coming in slightly after the deadline.
The race was run on the same day as the famed Mount Washington Road Race, the 7.6 mile hill climb up to the 6288 foot summit of Mt. Washington in New Hampshire. This year the top six US men and top four US women were choosen for the USA Mountain Running Team at the event. Check here for the story.
Check here for the official results of the 2010 Mount Evans Ascent.
*If you'd like a free copy of one of the race photos, email KimBogin@gmail.com.
Comments
Wow! At first I wasn't envious of this race, sounded brutal...but after seeing the views, that makes it all worth it! I hope you Coloradians don't take it for granted. I love it there.
I think I would have my camera with me.
sounds like a cool race and nice weather!
Nice socks, Kim.
I ran the event for the first time this year. Absolutely amazing. Being a flat lander (St. Louis, MO) I was unsure what to expect. Everyone was awesome, from the other runners, to the volunteers, to the organizers. What a memorable event and the views were breathtaking. I will definately be back!!!!
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